Art of stemming tobacco



'Dem 1l ,1923.

F. C. SCHOHELD ART 0F STEMMING TOBACCO Filed Dec. lO, 1921 3Sheets-Sheet 2 w 7 w A, all D L E F O H C s c.. F.,

.Deia-11, 1923..

. ART oF s'TEMMING TOBACCO Filed Deo. 1o, i921 5 sheets-sheet? PatentedDec. 11, i923.

1,476,710 P- rENr oFF-ics.

FREDERICK o. sonorrnnn, or LYITCIIBURG, VIRGINIA, AssIeNoR To'roBAOoosrEM- MING MAOHINROOMPANY, or LYIIOrsenna,v VIRGINIA; aCORPORATION OR DRI-1A,-

WARE.

ART rOIE STEMMING TOBACCO.

imputation med December .10, 1921. serial `316,521,320.

This invention relates tO leaf stemming and more particularly to amethod of. and apparatus for stemming tobacco'leaves,and has specialreference to the provision of a leaf stemming method andk apparatusofthe type in which the web or'lamna of the leaf is detached from thestem by stripping-the leaf lamina from an intermediate point of the stemtowards its opposite ends.V

@ne of the common classes of machines used for stemming` tobacco leavescomprehends apparatus iny which the principlev is employed of seizing orgrippingl the stem of the tobacco leaf and stripping the web or laminaof the leaf from the stem as by drawing the gripped leaf throughstemming or stripping elements. AccordingV to one type of machineemploying this general principle, the leaf is seized Or gripped at thebutt end of the same and the leaf so gripped is fed through stemmingelementsy which strip the lamina from the butt endtow'ards the tip endof. the leaf'. Although inrthis type of machine the butt, being strong,tough and firm, may be securely gripped and the leaf efficiently fedthrough the stennning elements, it is well known that the detaching ofthe lamina from the stem carried on with considerable difficulty, thestemming from butt lto tip in being with the grain of the leaf and incausing a crowding or bunching of the lamina about the stem being afairly dihicult operation.A

To overcome. this disadvantage incident to stemming from butt to tipanother type of machine has been devised in which the leaf is gripped orseized at the tip end and the stemming operation effected from the-tiptowards the butt. The stemming or stripping from tip towards buttinvolves a stripping against the leaf grain and such stripping may beeffected with considerable ease and facility. However, in the latter'type of machine, although thev stripping step may be carried` on toadvantage, considerable difiiculty has been encountered in properlygripping the tip end of the leaf perfect gripping and feeding.v

and feedin the leaf from, thestemmingele-V ments by't e'gripped tipend,ltheIV thin relatively frail and in'rrn tip end'A of" the leaf beingliable to tearing and breaking when subjected to a moderatel degree ofpulling strain. Thisv disadvantage.` has `been. so serious at timesthat'in` some forms ofv thisv latter type of machine special means havehad` to be devised forl changing the grippingpoint of the stem from thetip towards the tougher part ofthe stem libre as the leaf isprogressively stripped there Y.

from. The type of machine, therefore,

where the butt' end of the leaf is seized and'y the leaf stripped frombutt to vtipy is opento` the disadvantage of' diiiicu'lt str-.ipping orstemming; and the type where the tip end isgripped and the leaf'stripped from the tip toibutt is open tothe equally serious disadvantageof .insecure and im- To eliminate the defects or disadvantages incidentto suchtypes of machines and to combine the desirablev features'thereof, third type ofY machine hasl beeny devised in which the leafstemis gripped: at a point intermediate the 'ends' thereof and the laminastripped from. such point towards the opposite ends of the leaf. Theintermediate point of. the stem consists of av relatively tough fibreand such part of, the stem may n be. securely taken hold of andv theyleaf may be fed through stripping means withv the stem so grippedwithout the liability of the stem breaking or tearing. Althoughl part ofthe stemming, namely that from the gripped intermediate point towardsthe tip,

is relatively difficult, the stemming from lasttype have not been foundto work with Y the consistency, ease andV speed desiredy in the stemmingart. Where the partsz of the leaf on opposite sides Of. the intermediatepoint were stripped in successive steps, special gripping, feedingandjstemmingV constructions had to be devised which were at llo inoperation. Where the parts of the Vleaf lwere stripped in oppositedirectionv simultaneously from the intermediate point, in addition toproviding several sets of stemming rolls active on such parts lwithrtheresulting increase in complexity of the machine structure, special meansfor grip-ping the stem so as to take up for differential strains inopposite Adirections had to b e incorporated in the' Ymachine becauseofthe necessity to equalize stripping action in opposite directions,this being impossible of attainment without such means because of thefact that stripping in the direction towards thekybutt requires lessresisting pull than stripping in the direction towards the stem, thedraws" in opposite direction being thereforeunequal. Prior machines ofthis type, therefore, although logically correct in attackingthestemming problem on the broad principle of gripping at an intermediatepoint and stemming towards .the opposite ends of the leaf, do not supplythe best solutionfrom the viewpoint of accomplishing the desired endswith relatively simple apparatus'so that gripping, feeding and stemmingcan be carried on with the facility and speed attainable in this type ofma.- chine. i t Y My present invention primarily contemplates theprovision of an apparatus of the type last referred to in which theprinciple of gripping vthe stem at a point intermediate its ends andstripping the lamina or blade of the leaf from such point towards theopposite ends of the leaf .is employed, my invention contemplating anovel method of and apparatus for gripping,`feecling and stemming theblades, such method and apparatus not being subject to the defects foundin prior machines ef this type.

The principal objects. of my invention may besaid to include, besidesthe provision of a method of and apparatus for stei'nming tobacco leavesof the kind referred to, the

provision of a method and apparatus in which the leaf folded about thegripped point and the lamina detached from the resulting folds; theprovision of a method and apparatus of this type in which the leaf isfolded and fed in folded condition through a set of stemming elements,the folds of the leaf being simultaneously acted upon by the same set ofstemming rolls, the apparatus required .being relatively simple notonly, but stemming being carried on with a tendency towards equalizingopposing pulls or draws on the stem and with secure stem grippinOv andfeeding effected; the still further provision of a method and apparatusin which the lamina of th-e leaf is removed from the folds and from thegripped portion of the stem in a single operation; the still furtherprovision of a novel method and means for positioning the tobacco leavesand for feeding the grippers thereto and the general provision ofsimple, easily operated and controlled apparatus carrying on the varioussteps of the method.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear, my invention consists in `the elements and. theirrelation one to the other as hereinafter particularly described antsought to be dened in the claims, reference y being had to theaccompanying drawings which show preferred'embodiment of my inventionand in which: f Y

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional ele- Avational view of my 1 machinewith parts for operating on the gripper bars to permit a full `cleaningof the leaves in la single operation, and

Figures 9 vand l0 are views of modifications.

As hereinbefore referred to, a prime desideratum of my present inventioncomprehends the provision' of a tobacco stemming construction in whichthe tobacco leaves are folded about a point intermediate the ends of theleaf and the lamina or web of the leaf is stripped from the resultingfolds. ln the. present exemplification ofmyinvention the tobacco leaves,after being untied from the bundle or hand, are placed on a feedtableandwhile in position on said table the leaves are seized or takenholdy of bymeans of gripping elements fed to the table, the leavesbeing` gripped at a point or portion intermediate the ends of the leafand the so gripped le ves are fed forward to be stemmed Thisexemplifies-- tion of my invention is shown in the drawings andreferring to Figure l of the.

drawings, l show mounted on s Ybracket l() forming part of thestationaryframework Y- ll a support l2; and on the said support l provide theLinclined feed table 13. Upon the table 13 are placed the individualleaves which are untied from afhand, the leaves being positioned on thetable so as to be capable of being seired by the gripping` means activeon a point of the stem intermediateV the ends thereof. To this end thetable 13 is provided with a section er portion 14s lying below the Vpathof the grippers, as will appear presently, and Vconnected to the saidsection la l provide a gauge board l5 functioning to aline the butts ofthe leaves, the said vgauge board 15 being adjustably connected to thetable section las by means ofthe slot and wing nut means 16, theadjustability of the gauge board 15 being provided to the end ofadapting the machine to various lengths of tobacco leaves. The leaves Lare placed on the table with the butts -preferably alined by the gaugeboard 15, as clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the intermediateportion of the leaves being located in the space between the table 13and its extended section 14.

Io the end of providing means for gripping the leaves and for feedingthem forwardly, I preferably provide a feeding apparatus of the typeshown in my prior Patents No. 1,268,392 of June f1, 1918 and 1,286,124-of November 26, 1918, the said feeding means comprising generallyendless companion carriers of the sprocket chain type, the said sprocketchains carrying complemental gripping bars for seizing and feeding theleaves through the stemming apparatus. Referring to Figure 1 of thedrawings, I show the sets of companion sprocket chains, one set beingshown in the drawings and designated as 17 and 18 respectively, the saidsprocket chains being trained over opposed sprocket gears 19, 20; 21 and22 respectively. The sprocket gears 19 to 22 are suitably journalled inbracketed structures 23 and 24 forming part of the stationary framework11 of the machine, the sprocket gears being positively actuated to bemovable in synchronism by any desirable mechanism.

Spacedly mounted in the sprocket chains 17 and 18 I provide sets ofcomplemental gripping elements in the form lof gripping bars, the saidgripping bars being fed into coacting clamping condition for grippingand feeding the tobacco leaves. This is clearly shown in Figure 1 of thedrawings, wherein is shown provided a series of spaced carrier bars 25on 'the chain 18 and a series of complemental clampingV bars 26 on theendless chain 17. As the companion endless chains are rotated by thesynchronously operated sprocket gears, the complemental endless gripperbars 25 and 26 are fed into coacting condition, as clearly shown to theleft of Figure 1, the gripper bars 25 and 26 gripping therebetween theleaves L at a region intermediate the ends of the leaves, the leaves sogripped being then fed from the feed table. 13 forwardly for thestemming operation with both ends of the leaf drooping, as clearly shownin Figure 1 of' the drawings. Y Y

The leaves after being gripped and fed forward in the manner hereinabovereferred to, are then forwarded .and the lamina or web of the leaves isst-ripped from the resulting folds. For the purpose of folding theleaves any sui-table means may be provided and I prefer, as shown in thepresent` exemplification of my invention, to fold the leaves by the actof feeding the same through the stemming elements, the drooping forwardend of the leaf facilitating the folding step. Referring again to Figure1 of the drawings, I show the provision of stemming elements such as theopposed stem` ming rolls 27 and 28, these stemming rolls beingpreferably of the type surfaced with card clothing, the stemming rolls27 and 28 being suitably journalled in the oscillatable arms 29 and 30respectively. The arm 29 is suitably journalled in the framework of themachine and the arm 30 is journalled in the bracketed structure 31forming part of the frame 11 of the machine, such a construction beingfully shown in my Patent No. 1,268,392 of June 1, 1918. The arms 29 and30 may be provided with adjustable tensioning elements as shown in mysaid patent for the purpose of adjusting the stemming action of the saidrolls. The tobacco leaves grippe-d between a carrier bar 25 and aclamping bar 26 are fed by the endless chains to and between the cardclothing rolls 27 and 28, these rolls separating under tension to permitthe leaves to pass therebetween, the advance or butt end of the leafbeing lapped or folded under the rear end of the leaf by the act offeeding the said leaf between the stemming rolls. The separation of thestemming rolls 27 and 28 and the folding of the leaf therebetween isclearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. In the onward movenient ofthe gripping bars 25 and 26 after the latter pass the stemming rolls 27and 28, the stemming rolls close upon the tobacco leaves as clearlyshown in Figure 4 of the drawings, the stripping action of the saidstemming rolls commencing at such time. The rolls 27 and 28 are rotatedin opposite directions as iIIdi- Y cated by the arrows in the figures,suitable means being provided andl connected to the other operatingparts of Ithe apparatus for imparting the desired rotation to thestemming rolls. lVith the feeding forward of the bars and the rotationof the stemming rolls 27 and 28, the lamina or web of the `leaf L isstripped from the overlying folds of the leaf, the coacting movementbetweenv the gripping bars and the rolls effecting a sluiting or wipingstripping action on the leaf web, the relative movement of the parts ofthe apparatus effecting a simultaneous stripping or detaching of thefolds of the leaf from the stem, as clearly indicated inV Figure 5 ofthe drawings.

For the purpose ofeffecting a secure gripping of the bars 25 and 26 asthe same are passed between the stripping rolls 27 and' 28, I may-provide the o-pposing pressure shoes 32 and 33 acting on complementalbights or reaches of lthe companion chains 17 and 18, the shoe 32 beingpreferably stationarily mounted on the framework of the machine and theshoe 33 being yieldingly mounted on the same, the said shoe 33 beingresiliently mounted for yielding movement by means of the adjustablespring pressure elements 34E and 35 connecting opposite ends of the shoe33 to upstanding bearings 3G and 37 respectively, the latter formingpart of the framework of the machine. Y

l have found in the practice of the method carried out by the abovedescribed apparatus, that the tobacco leaves may be folded about anintermediate point without breaking or snapping and that the leaf whenso folded maybe effec-tively stemmed by the simple stripping apparatushereinabove described. l have further found that by this method andmeans the stem may be securely gripped at a relatively tough portionthereof, and that when the leaf is folded about the gripped point andmore partie-- ularly about the complemental grippers with the laminasimultaneously stripped in the same direction by the opposing stemmingrolls, that the tendency for the lea'tl and the stems to slip betweenthe gripping bars during stripping action is effectively minimized withthe resulting increase in stemming efficiency, the simultaneous actionof the stripping rolls on the overlapping folds furthermore tending toequalize the pulling strains on the opposite folds, this being anotherfactor in preventing slipping of the stems between the gripper` bars.llVith my method and apparatus, furthermore. the leaves L may be fed tothe table 13 without that degree of accuracy hitherto found necessary inprior machines where the alining of the butts involved the need for careand accuracy of feeding of the stems to the gripper elements, the leaveswhen in fact fed indiscriminately on the table 13 in my invention beingproperly taken hold of at some intermediate point b v the gripping barsQ5 and 26. ln prior machines where the butts of the leaves are grippedand fed forwardly, the improper positioning of the leaves on the tableoftimes results in a decreased productivity or yield of the apparatusfor the reason that such improper feeding results in improper grippingby the bars, this yielding a high percentage of drops and also resultingat times in missing` the leaves and failing to feed them at all. ln thepracticel of my method, furthermore, it is unnecessary to preliminarilystrip the leaf from the butt ends, preliminary butting apparatus beingthereby eliminated. Moreover, with the apparatus I provide, the leavesare fed in a simple manner through a set of stemming elements, the lawof operation of the machine being relatively simple with thekresultingyielding of more consistent and uniform results.

In the feeding of the leaves through the stripping elementsl 52T and 28the leaves are preferably so stripped as to effect complete stemming ina single operation. ln my copending application, Serial No. 521,319,filed Dec. 10, 1921, l provide a construction in which the lamina of theleaves is stripped from the folds of the same with aV portion of the webor lamina left adhering to the stem adjacent the gripped portion thereofwith means provided for subsequently stripping such adhering lamina fromthe stem. ln the present exemplification of my invention l provide aconstruction in which complete stemming is effected in a singleoperation while the leaves are moving between the stemming' rolls 27 and28. To this end my present invention comprehends means for moving thestem between the gripper bars while the leaves are being moved betweenthe stemming rolls and to effect this the gripper bars are rotated sothat the web adhering to the stem at the gripper bars will be presentedto the stem- 1 g r ming rolls to be stripped thereby. llo accomplishthis the lower gripper bar 25, reference being had particularly toFigures Q and 6 to S, is provided with opposed trunnions rotatable inadjacent links of the chain carrier 1S and on one of the trunnions 38 isprovided the gear wheel 39 which is adapted to engage or mesh with arack bar l0 as the grigpeil bar 25 is advanced between the stemmingrolls 2T and 2S. By this means the lower gripper bar is rotated duringstemming action and the upper gripper bar 26 is rotated thereby with themovement of the stems therebetween effected in the direction of thearrows shown in Figures t and 5 of the drawings. This rotation is timedand speeded so that the lower portion of the leaf remains praetically inimmovable contact with the surface of the lower stemming roll while theupper portion of the leaf is drawn through the meshes of the upper rolland the stem drawn out. he cleaned stem is thus drawn forward betweenthe gripper bars and is returned to a point between Athe meshes of thestemming rolls 'while the bars are receeding from the rolls and therolls are rotating away from the bars. At this moment the gripper barscease to rotate and the stemming process continues with the result thatall the lamina is removed from the stems as shown in Figure 5 of thedrawings and there is no need for further cleaning the stems by asecondary set of stemming rolls.

Referring still to Figures 2 and 6 to 8 of the drawings, the parts areso constructed as to effect the rotation of the lower gripper bar for alimited period as hereinbefore referred to, the parts being,furthermore, so constructed as to permit the engagement between the gearwheel 39 and rack 40 without shock and with facility. To this end therack bar 40 i's 'mounted for reciprocating motion in the runway '41.provided in the framework of fthe machine and means is provided foreffecting the reciprocating motion of the rack bar, such meanscomprising preferably a connecting rod 42 pivotally connected -to oneen'd of the rack bar 40, as shown in the figures, the other end oftherod being connected tothe crank armv43 which is fixed to the shaft 44'ofthe sprocket wheel 22, as particularly "shown in Figure 2 of thedrawings. With this construction, referring to Figure 2, it will be seenthat as the gripper bars are Vbeing moved forwardly with the leavestherebetween and as the gear 39 is about to engage the rack 40, the rack40 is moved inthe direction of movement of the gripper bars so thatengagement takes place 'without shock. 'It will be further evident thatas soon as engagement takes place therack `har 40 is moved 'in thereverse direction effecting a quick rotation 'of the lower gripper barandthe upper gripper bar "actuated thereby. For the purpose of causingthe teeth ofthe 'gear '49 to be presented to the teeth of the rackalw'aysin the same relation, I preferably provide the fin 45 on theshaft 'of the gear wheel 39, and 'cooperating vwith "this iin I providev"the"track 46 having lthe incline 47 'at 'the forward end thereof, theinclinebeing provided 'for the purpose of engaging the Vlin and turningthe gear wheel so that thegear teethfare presented tothe `rack teethalways in the same relation, this to prevent binding between theseparts. v l

In Figure -9 I show avmodiiication of the gripper bars to permit thestemming .rolls to close upon the tobacco leaves immediately the gripperbars pass vthe same. 'Io this end I provide the rotating gripper 'bars25 and Y26 arranged out of vertical alinement with the upperzgripper barin advance of the Vlower gripper bar. Referring to Figure 9 it will beseen that with this construction the stemming rolls 27 and 28 willclosenearer the receding bars and-take hold of the tobacco earlier. Inthis case the lower arm need not be pivoted, the upper rollv rising toallow 4the bars to pass. The lower roll is permanently mountedju-stbelow the line of travel of the lower bar.

In Figure 10 I'show a stillV further modification of my invention inwhich the Vgripper bars 252 and 262 are corrugated to the end that thestems lare better-gripped and drawn with greater facility during therotation of the bars.

The practice of my method and the operation of my apparatus will, in themain, be apparent from the above detailed description thereof. Theleaves L, after being untied from the bundle or hand, are placed on thetable 13 and table section 14 with the butts of the leaves lpreferablyalined by the gauge board 15. The leaves positioned in this manner arethen gripped at a point intermediate 4the -ends thereof between thegripper bars 2and 26 with the leaves then fed forward. As the ileavesare advanced bythe gripper bars the leaves are fed between the stemmingrolls 27 and 28, vthe latter functioning to fold the advance portion ofthe leaves under the remaining portions of the same. the leaves sofoldedbeing thenv fed through the stripping rolls 27 and 28 foi-thestemming'operation, the Stripping rolls being'operative simultaneouslylon op positeffolds of the leaf. The lamina is completely stripped rfromthe leaves. in a'single operation, the rotation of the -gripperb'arsduring movement of the leaves through the stemming rolls effecting thepresentation of all the lamina tothe vstemming rolls for completestripping action.

From labove it will be app-arent that I have 'provided an apparatus inwhich the leaves may be effectively4 'gripped at an intermediate pointfand eiliciently fedforv the stripping step, the stripping apparatusbeing of relatively simple 'construction and the 'cooperation of thefeeding andstripping means being 'such as .to permit 'o'fhigh Aspeed ofoperation, eilicient stemming, and `easy controlby 'an operator.

'Vhi'le I have shown my devi'ceinth'e preferred form, it will bel'obvious "that 'many changes 'and modifications may bemafde in thestructure .disclosed without departing from the spirit fof theinvention, `defined in the following claims.

I claim:

l. The method 'of 'leaf vstermniing Vwhich consists in gripping "the'leaf stem at a portion intermediate its Sends, in :folding 'the' leafand 'in removing inthe same step the lamina or web 'ofthe leaf from the'folds Aand from the said grippedportion.

2. The method kof leaf 'stemming which consists in gripping theleaf'stem ata point intermediate its ends, in "feeding the 'same through'the stemming elements to remove the lamina ofthe Ele'afzfrom thegripped point of the stem towardtheleaf endsyand in changing the point.of ,gripping while the leaf is,` fed through thestemming elements.

3.*The method of leaf vstemming which consistsin grip,1i)ing'the leafStemat a point intermediate its ends, in rfeedingthe Same through 'thestemming elements to r'remove the lamina of theleaf `fromjthe gripped Ipoint ofthe'stenrtowardthe *leaf ends, and

in progressively changing the point of gripf ping While the leaf is fedthrough the stemming elements whereby the leaf may be completely stemmedwhile'fed through the stem ming elements. Y

4. The method of leaf stemming which consists in gripping the leaf stemby means of gripping elements at a point intermediate` iso its ends, inthen feeding the gripper elementsV and the leaf through stemmingelementsand in moving the same in the gripper elements during feeding ofthe same through .the stemming elements whereby all parts of the web ofthe leaf are subjected to stripping action.

5. The method of leaf stemming which consists in gripping the leaf stemat a point Sintermediate its ends, in folding the same and in feedingthe folds through stemming elements to remove the lamina. of the leaffrom the gripped point of the stem toward the leaf ends, and in changingthe point of gripping while the leaf is fed through the stemmingelements.

6.. An apparatus for leaf stemming com-- prising means for gripping theleaf stem at a. point intermediate its ends whereby the 'leaf may befolded, means, for stemming the leaf in folded condition and means forvarying the gripping point of the stem during the stemming action.

7. An apparatus for leaf stemming comprising means for gripping the leafstem at a point intermediate its ends and means for detaching thecomplete lamina or web of the leaf in a single stemming operation.

8. An apparatus for leaf stemming comf prising means for gripping theleaf stem at a point intermediate its ends whereby the leaf may befolded, stemn'iing elements,

means for feeding the leaf in folded condi-v tion through the stemmingelements and.

prising opposed stemming rolls, con'iplemental endless chain carriers,companion gripper bars movably mounted in the carriers, the gripper barsbeing arranged to cooperate with the Vstemming rolls for movementbetween the said rolls during leaf stemming activity. and means lformoving the bars in the carriers during such activity.

11. :[n- .an apparatus for leaf stemming, complemental.carriers andcompanion grip- Aper bars mounted in the carriers, the gripperbarsbeingrotatable in the carriers.

ravegvvo.

12. In an Vapparatus for leaf stemming.,

complemental chain carriers and companion gripper bars mounted in thecarriers, the gripper bars being rotatable in the carriers.

13. In an apparatus for leaf stemming, complemental carriers andcompanion corrugated gripper bars mounted in the carriers, the gripperbars being rotatable in the carriers.

14. In anv apparatus for leaf stemming, complemental carriers andcompanion gripper bars mounted in the carriers, the gripper bars beingrotatable in the carriers and means for rotating the bars in thecarriers. y

15. In an apparatus for leaf stemming, a movable endless chain carrier,a rotatable gripper bar in the carrier, the said gripper bar includinggear means, and mechanism operative to rotate the gear means and the barduring movement of the carrier, the said mechanism comprising a rackengaging the gear.

16. In an apparatus for leaf stemming, a movable endless chain carrier,a rotatable gripper bar in the carrier, the said gripper bar includinggear means, and mechanism operative to rotate the gear means and the barduring movement of the carrier, the

said mechanism comprising a reciprocating` rack engaging the gear.

17 An apparatus for stemming leaves, comprising means for gripping theleaf stem at a point intermediate its ends whereby the leaf may befolded and means for stemming the leaf in folded condition, the grippingmeans comprising a plurality of rotatable gripping Abars between whichthe leaf stem is held, one of the bars being situated in advance of theother.

18. An Aapparatus for stemming leaves comprising means for gripping theleaf stem at a point intermediate its ends whereby the leaf may be fedin folded condition, a plurality of relatively movable stemming rollshaving their aXes in a lvertical plane and means for feeding lthe foldedleaf lthrough the stemming rolls, the gripping means comprising aplurality of rotatable gripping bars between which the leaf stem isheld,

one of the bars being situated in advance ofv the other.

Signed at Lynchburg, inY the county v.of Campbell and State of Virginia,thisth` day'of Dec., A. D. 1921.

' FREDERICK c. scnorinrn.

